It’s January 2014, it’s Hampton Pool Summer Picnic Concerts again. Actually, the team have been working on the concerts for July 2014 since September – yes we did take a bit of a holiday in August. We’ve been looking at everything, including: the staging, sound, lights and backstage; the bar and how it works; catering, toilets, everything.

The dates are set – 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 July 2014 – pencil them in your diary now

Currently the focus is on booking the line-up. We try to ensure that we’ve seen every artist that we book to ensure, as best we can, that they will delight everyone who comes to see them.

And you help us select the artists, too…

As those of you who have taken part in our online survey into the concerts will know, we ask concert goers which bands they would like to see at future concerts, what they thought of the bands at this year’s concerts and, of all of those who have performed before, which they would like to see again.

All this gets fed into our analysis and discussions from which we produce our shortlist. Then we have to establish which artists are going to be available to perform and whether we can afford them. We make every attempt to go and see them and we spend hours viewing live footage on You Tube and elsewhere.

We can’t publish any names or dates until we have signed contracts and we don’t until all the dates are finalised and all the artists are contracted, as things might change. But we can provide some hints.

Two evenings of top-class, double header tribute bands

We should have two evenings of top-class, double header tribute bands. Three of the four bands that should be performing have already delighted audiences at the Pool. The fourth is the world leader for their chosen band.

A favourite from the past returns

We have worked hard to get the most popular, biggest band that has appeared at the pool previously to come back to the pool. We couldn’t make it happen in 2012 or this year. Terms are agreed, so subject to contract, they will be on the list when we announce.

A uniquely British evening

No, we haven’t got Ray Davis of the Kinks. But we are at the final stages of negotiating for two top class, uniquely British bands who promise to provide us with a very jolly, happy, joyous party evening. And we are still working on the remaining two dates.

Securing the future of the pool

An army of volunteers give freely and happily of their time to help ensure that the concerts are the success that they are, showcasing our beautiful pool, providing six great evenings of entertainment and raising funds to secure the long term future of the pool. Do come in 2014 and have a great evening supporting a very good cause.